Sheffield Labour councillors are backing a radical Heritage Strategy for the city, and calling on the council to do everything it can to support this.
The Sheffield Heritage Strategy aims to protect Sheffield’s heritage over the next decade through conservation and education.
Created by local communities working alongside key institutions in the city, it has been published by Joined Up Heritage Sheffield (JUHS) and seeks to preserve both the city’s industrial heritage and its modernist legacy from the post-war period.
The Council has been involved in driving the Heritage Strategy forward since its earliest stages, with the then Labour Council Leader Bob Johnson, welcoming the completed Strategy in January 2021, with the Council subsequently joining the Heritage Partnership Board in February 2021 as a first step towards implementation.
Councillor Janet Ridler (Labour councillor for Stocksbridge and Upper Don) is the Council’s Heritage Champion and is calling for greater action to be taken.
In a motion to Full Council on Monday 20th February, Labour will argue that the Heritage Strategy needs to be adopted and given due prominence at the highest strategic level of the council.
Councillor Janet Ridler:
“Adopting the Heritage Strategy for Sheffield will demonstrate the Council’s strategic approach and commitment to Heritage.
“The city’s heritage does not belong to the city council, but to the people of Sheffield, but the council has an important role to play here. Adopting this strategy will also improve the Council’s ability to attract external funding for a wide range of heritage projects to support local communities.
“Championing heritage is a fundamental part of my working career, and has been for many years. From conversations with people in Stocksbridge and across the city, I know that there is widespread support for the council stepping-up and doing more to safeguard the city’s heritage. I’m hopeful that all councillors will back what we’re proposing”.
Councillor Tom Hunt (Labour councillor for Walkley ward), is seconding the motion and commented:
“The heritage strategy is about looking forward, not back because our heritage is living, breathing, diverse and inclusive. It’s our buildings, music, languages, traditions, our proud record of standing up for our rights and so much more. Adopting the strategy will ensure our heritage has an important place in how we plan Sheffield’s future.”
The motion from Labour on the Heritage Strategy will be voted on by all councillors on Monday 20th February. The meeting agenda, including the full wording of the motion, can be read here: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=154&MId=8360
Further information about Joined-up Heritage Sheffield and their plan can be found here: https://www.joinedupheritagesheffield.org.uk/about-us/a-heritage-strategy-for-sheffield/